Cigarette feed tobacco compressor



Dec. 27, 1932. I D, sMlTH 1,892,257

CIGARETTE FEED TOBACCO COMPRESSOR Filed Aug. 20, 1931 FIG. 2

ATTORNEY .cilitating the forming of the rod in the 'jni v chine, andmeans for feeding the compressed Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATESPATENT.

OFFICE 1 ELBERON DOUGLAS SMITH, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TOAMERICAN MACHINE & FOUNDRY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEYCIGARETTE FEED TOBACCO COMPRESSOR Application filed 'Aagustfll), 1931..Serial No. 558,370.

for compressing thetobacco showeredgfrom the feed chute of the tobacco.feed to appnp'ximately the size or cross-sectionof the tobaej core inthe finished cigaretterodfthereby fa tobacco to the travelling cigarettepaper strip in the forward direction at a speed equal to that of thelatter, thereby preventing skidding between tobacco and paper. With thisand other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the inventionconsists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafter fullydescribed and then specifically set forth in the claims hereuntoappended.

Heretofo're, the tobacco stream was fed from a feed chutedirectly uponthe surface of the-running paper strip, thereby striking the surface atright angles which, due to the inertia of the tobacco mass, caused adelay in its partaking of the motion of the paper with the result that,relative to the moving surface, the deposited tobacco moves backward fora short. distance, thereby disturbing thee-venness of the layer.

To overcome this inertia effect, the tobacco from the feed chute, bymeans of intermediate belts, is fed onto the paper strip with aforwardspeed equal to that of the strip so that there can be no relative motionbetween them.

The tobacco from the feed chute is fed upon an inclined forwarding beltthe rough surface of which prevents any skidding of tobacco. The latteris carried on this belt beneath a compressor belt moving at the samespeed and ip the same direction of the first belt and forming with thesame a tapered space leading to the moving paper strip.-

The narrowing of the space so formed causes gradual compression of thetobacco stream to approximately its final size. thereby producing auniform and homogeneous tobacco core and takinga corresponding amount ofcompreasion work off the rod former which folds the passing strip aroundthe tobacco layer to form the cigarette rod, this relieving of the rodformer being of great importance in high speed machines. The thuscompressed stream of tobacco is fed onto the running paper strip at thesame speed and in the direction of the latter and thus motionimmediately.

In the accompanying drawing in which like characters of referenceindicate the same or 'ke parts: Fig. :1 is a front elevation of thetobacco feed compressor with the front cover removed Fig. 2 is asectional end elevation same, taken on line 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional top View taken on line of the 44 of Fig. 8,showing the compressed tobacco massleaving the compressor and enteringinto the receiving tongue of the rod former.

In carrying the invention into elfect'there is provided a cigarettemachine feed chute, means for continuously forwarding a cigarette paperstrip, and mechanism under the bottom of said chute for angularlyintercepting the tobacco showered therefrom and compressing'it to theapproximate cross-section of the core of a cigarette rod and forwardingand delivering the compressed tobacco to the cigarette paper strip at anangle thereto. In the best forms of construction contemplated saidmechanism includes atravelling tobacco forwarding belt having itsupper-run arranged to angularly intercept the tobacco falling throughthe feed chute, and a compressor beltoperating to compress the tobaccoon the upper run of said forwarding belt and travelling therewith todeliver the compressed. tobacco tothe cigarette paper strip at an anglethereto. These various means and parts my be widely varied within therestricted to the-specific construction shown and described.

partakes of its p Referring to Fig. 1, the cigarette feed tobaccocompressor is mounted on a frame forming part of the main frame of thecigarette machine and carrying the pulleys 6 and 7 mounted on shafts 8and 9, respectively, which are driven in opposite directions, shown byarrows, from the main drive of the machine. Pulley 6 drives. acomparatively short con'iprcssor belt 10 over idler rollers 11, 12 and13 and belt tightener 14 which are supported from theframe 5. Pulley 7drives a long forwarding belt 15, extending along substantially theentire length of the feed chute, over idler rollers 16, 17 and belttightener 18 which are also supported from the frame 5. Between theidler rollers 11 and 1:2, and 1G and 17, respectively, the travellingbelts 10 and run in the same direction forming between them a taperedpathway or space for compressing the tobacco stream T delivered upon theupper runs of belts 10 and 15 from a feed chute 19 which confines thetobacco falling therethrough in a shower. The tobacco is guided on itsway to the belts 10 and 15 by a rear wall 20 fixed on the frame 5 and aren'lovable front cover '21 pivoted on said frame, Fig. 2, while thelower part of the. conu ressor is equipped with tobacco side guides 22and 23, Fig. 3. Since the guide 22 is secured to theframe 5 andconnected to guide 23 by the shaft of the roller 13, the guide 23 isalso supported from the guide Q2. 'The tobacco is gradually compressedbetween the lower run of the belt 10 and the upper run of the belt 15 toapproximately the crosssection of the core of the finished cigarette,thus leaving the rod former of the machine free to perform only thefinal shaping of the cigarette rod.

The cigarette paper strip P is continuously fed. from a reel R over aguide roller 24, supporting plate 25, and a laterally adjustpaper guide26 onto an endless traction tape 2'?" driven from the main drive of themachine and running over a small roller 28 placed on level withsupporting plate 25. To provide for adjustment of the paper guide 526 itis mounted on a screw threaded into a bracket fixed on the frame 5 andunderlying the lower run of the belt 15 behind the roller 28., wherebythe cigarette paper strip may be laterally adjusted without stopping themachine, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The belts 1t} and 1.5 and the tape27 are driven at a prcdetermined velocity so that the compressed tobaccostream T and the paper strip P have the same speed when coming togetherand when entering the tongue 28a of the rod former. in order to pressthe tobacco on the cigarette paper strip to prevent any tobacco fromfollowing the belt 10 when it leaves the tobacco stream T at roller 13.a thin guide plate 29 extending into tongue a is fastened to guide 22.Plate 29 is cut an angle 30 to prevent any tobacco which may projectupwardly from being arrested thereby, the tobacco following the angle 30and passing between plate and guide 23 into the rod former. Furthermore,the tongue extends sufficiently to engage the portion of belt 10 runningover roller 13 to scrape ofl any tobacco which may adhere to the belt.The compressor is equipped with supporting plates 31, 32 and 33 forbelt- 10, and with supporting plates 34 and for belt 15. Thesesupporting plates are fixed to the frame 5 in position to properlysupport the respective runs of belts 10 and 15. To prevent auy tobaccoor dust from accumulating upon the surfaces of pulleys (3 and 7 or ofrollers 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18, each of the same is equipped witha scraper plate 36. In view of the foregoing a detailed descrip tion ofthe operation of thedevice is deemed unnecessary and omitted in theinterest of brevity.

What is claimed is: 1. The combination with a cigarette machine feedchute adapted to confine the to bacco falling therethrough in a shower,of means for continuously forwarding a cigarette paper strip, andmechanism under the bottom of said chute for angularly intercepting thefalling tobacco and compressing it to the approximate cross-section ofthecore of a cigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressedtobacco to the cigarette paper strip at an angle thereto, said mechanismincluding a traveling forwarding belt having an inclined upper runarranged to angularly intercept a portion of the shower of tobacco andfeed it to said cigarette paper strip, and a traveling compressor belthaving an inclined upper run arranged to angularly intercept theremaining portion of said shower and feed it onto the layer of tobaccoon said forwarding belt delivered directly from said shower, saidcompressor belt having another run arranged at an angle to its upper runto compress the tobacco on said forwarding belt to the approximatecross-section of the core of a cigarette rod.

2. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chute adapted toconfine the tobacco falling therethrough in a shower, of

means for continuously forwarding a cigarette paper strip, and mechanismunder the bottom of said chute for an gularly intercepting the fallingtobacco and compressing it to the approximate cross-section of the coreof a cigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressed tobaccoto the cigarette paper strip atran angle thereto, said mechanismoperating to feed the compressed tobacco to the cigarette paper strip ata speed substantially equal to the speed of the cigarette paper stripand including a traveling forwarding belt having its upper run arrangedto angularly intercept a portion of the shower of tobacco at an acuteangle, and

a compressor belt having its upper run arranged at an obtuse angle tothe upper run of said forwarding belt to angularly intercept theremainingportion of said shower and feed it onto the layer of tobacco onthe upper run of said forwarding belt delivered directly from saidshower.

3. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chute adapted toconfine the tobacco falling therethrough in a shower, of means forcontinuously forwarding a cigarette paper strip, and mechanism under thebottom of said chute for angularly intercepting the falling tobacco andcompressing it to the approximate cross-section of the core of acigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco tothe cigarette paper strip at an angle thereto, said mechanism includingtravelling belts having their upper runs oppositely inclined at anobtuse angle to each other and'underlying the bottom of said chute tointercept the falling tobacco at an acute angle.

4. The combination with a cigarette ma chine feed chute adapted toconfine the tobacco falling therethrough in a shower, of means forcontinuously forwarding a cigarette paper strip, and mechanism under thebottom of said chute for angularly intercepting the falling tobacco andcompressing it to the approximate cross-section of the core of acigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco tothe cigarette paper strip at an angle thereto, said mechanism includinga travelling forwarding belt underlying the bottom of said chute andangularly intercepting the falling tobacco, and

a compressor belt arranged to compress the tobacco on said forwardingbelt to the approximate cross-section of the core of a cigarette rod andcooperate with said forwarding belt to feed the compressed tobaccodirectly to the cigarette paper strip, and then press the compressedtobacco on said cigarette paper strip.

5. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chute adapted toconfine the tobacco falling therethrough in a shower, of means forcontinuously forwarding a cigarette paper strip, and mechanism under thebottom of said chute for angularlyintercepting the falling tobacco andcompressing it tothe approximate cross-section of the core of acigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco tothe cigarette paper strip at an angle thereto, said mechanism includinga travelling forwarding belt having its upper run arranged to angularlyintercept a portion of the shower of tobacco, and a compressing beltarranged to angularly intercept another portion of said shower and feedit to the tobacco on said forwarding belt, and cooperate with saidforwarding belt to compress the tobacco and deliver it to the cigarettepaper strip, and then press the compressed tobacco on said strip.

6. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chute adapted toconfine the tob: cco falling therethrough in a shower, of means forcontinuousl forwarding a cigarette paper strip, and mechanism under thebottom of said chute for angular-l3 intercepting the falling tobacco andcompressing'it to the approximate cross-section of the core of acigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco tothe cigarette paper strip at an angle thereto, said mechanism includinga travelling forwarding belt arranged to angularl v' intercept thefalling tobacco, and a compressor belt having a run overlying saidforwarding belt and adapted to compress the tobacco thereon andcooperating therewith to feed the compressed tobacco directly to thecigarette paper strip, and having a horizontal run adapted to press thecompressed tobacco on said strip.

7. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chute adapted toconfine the tobacco falling therethrough in a shower, of means forcontinuously forwarding a cigarette paper strip, and mechanism under thebottom of said chute for angularljv intercepting the falling tobacco andcompressing it to the approximate cross-section of the core of acigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco tothe cigarette paper strip at an angle thereto, said mechanism includinga travelling forwarding belt arranged to angularly intercept the fallingtobacco and forward it to the cigarette paper strip, an endlesstravelling compressor belt having a horizontal run adapted to press thetobacco on the cigarette paper strip, and side guides for the tobaccodelivered to the cigarette paper strip adapted to guide the tobaccopassing under the horizontal run of said compressor belt.

8. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chute adapted toconfine the tobacco falling therethrough in a shower. of means forcontinuously forwarding a cigarette paper strip, and mechanism under thebottom of said chute for angularly intercepting the falling tobacco andcompressing it to the approximate cross-section of the core of acigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco tothe cigarette paper strip at an angle thereto, said means including sideguides for the tobacco on said strip, a laterally adjustable guide forthe cigarette paper strip, and an endless traction tape for forwardingthe strip under said mechanism, said guide being arranged to engage thecigarette paper strip bcfore it reaches said tape, whereby the strip maybe laterally adjusted without stopping the machine.

9. The combination with means for continuously forwarding a cigarettepaper strip,

of mechanism for forwarding a st-reaniof tobacco and compressing it tothe approximat-e cross-section of the core of a cigarette rod anddelivering, the compressed tobacco to the cigarette paper strip at anangle thereto at a speed substantially equal to that of the strip, saidmechanism including a forwarding belt, and a compressor belt, saidcompressor belt having a horizontal run adapted to press the tobacco onthe cigarette paper strip.

10. The combination with means for con-- tinuously forwarding acigarette paper strip, of mechanism'for forwarding a stream of tobaccoand compressing it to the approximate cross-section of the core of acigarette rod and delivering the compressed tobacco to the cigarettepaper strip at an angle thereto at a speed substantially equal to thatof the strip, said mechanism including an inclined tobacco forwardingbelt, a travelling compressor belt arranged to compress the tobacco onsaid forwarding belt, said compressor belt having a horizontal runadapted to press the tobacco on said cigarete paper strip, side guidesfor the tobacco delivered to the cigarette paper strip, and a plateadapted to press the tobacco on the strip between said side guides.

11. Means for forwarding a stream of"'tobacco and compressing it to theapproximate cross-section of the core of a cigarette rod, comprising aforwarding belt having its upper run inclined from the vertical, acompressor belthaving its lower run arrai'iged adjacent said upper runto compress the tobacco thereon, the upper run of said coinpressor beltbeing arranged at ,an angle to.

its lower run and adapted to feed tobacco to the upper run ofsaidforwarding belt, and a rear wall and a front cover for guiding the.

tobacco into the space between said runs.

12. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chute adapted toconfine tobacco falling therethrough inba shower, of 1a rod for rnerhaving a tongue, an endless traction tape for forwarding a cigarettepaperstrip through said rod former, mechanismj under the bottom ofsaid'chute for angularly-inr tercepting the falling tobaccoand'compressf ing it to the approximate cross-section of-the' core of acigarette rod and forwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco tothe cigarette paper strip on said tape at an acute; angle thereto, and aguide plate extending under said tongue and arranged to engage thetobacco on the cigarette paper strip on said tape to guide it under saidtongue;

13. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chuteadapteddo confinetobacco falling therethrough in a shower, of a rod former having atongue, an endless traction tape for forwarding a cigarette paper stripthrough said rod former, mechanism under the bottom of said chute forangularly intercepting the falling tobacco and compressit'to theapproximate cross-section of the anism including a forwarding belthaving an i inclined upper run arranged to angular-1y intercept aportion of the shower of tobacco and feed it to said cigarette paperstrip, and a compressor belt having an inclined upper run arranged toangularly intercept the remaining portion of said shower and feed itonto the layer oftobacco on said forwarding belt delivered from saidshower, the lower run of said compressor belt being arranged to compressthe tobacco on said forwardin belt to the approximate cross-section ofthe core of the cigarette rod.

14. The combination with a cigarette ma chine feed chute adaptedtoconfine tobacco falling therethrough in a shower, of a rod formerhaving a tongue, an endless traction tape for forwarding a cigarettepaper strip through said rod former, mechanism under the bottom of saidchute for angularly intercepting the falling tobacco and compressing tothe approximate cross-section of the core of avcigarett rod andforwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco to the cigarette paperstrip on said tape at an acute angle thereto, and a guide plateextending under said tongue and arranged to engage the tobacco on thecigarette paper strip on said tape to guide it under said tongue, saidmechanism including aforwardi n g belt and a compressor belt extendingover the traction tape beyond the delivery end of said forwarding beltto Inaintainthe tobacco on the cigarette paper strip on said tape incompressed condition.

15. The combination with a cigarette machine feed chute adapted'toconfine tobacco falling therethrough in a shower, of a rod former havinga tongue, an endless tract on tape 'for forwarding a cigarette paperstrip through said rod former, mechanism under the bottom-of said chutefor angularly interceptingjthe falling tobacco and compressing it-"tothe approximate cross-section of the core-eta cigarette we andforwarding and delivering the compressed tobacco to the cigarettepaperstrip on said tapei'at an acute angle thereto, and a guide plateextending "under said tongue and arranged to engage the tobacco onthercigarette paper'strip on said tape to guide it under said tongue,one edge of said guide'plate being cut at an angle to preventobstruction of any tobacco which -may project upwardly-from thecigarette paper strip.

16. In a cigarette machine forforming free ly falling showered tobaccointofa continuous rod, the combination with a conveyor arranged tocarrytobacco resting thereon by gravity said conveyor comprising atravelling web having at least a portion of its carrying surfaceinclined to the horizontal, of a chute having a capacity sutticient topermit a free falling of the showered tobacco and acting to guide thetobacco onto said inclined carrying surface, mechanism for forwardingthe tobacco stream formed on the web to the rod forming means, and abeltcompressor for compressing the tobacco stream.

17. In a cigarette machine for forming free- 1y falling showered tobaccointo a continuous.

rod, the combination with a travelling web having at ieast a portion ofits carrying surface inclined to the horizontal, of a chute acting toguide the tobacco onto said inclined carrying surface, mechanism forforwarding the tobacco stream formed on the web to the rod formingmeans, and a belt compressor for compressing the tobacco stream, saidtobacco compressin belt having a run parallel to the axis of thecigarette rod acting on the upper side of the tobacco stream.

18-. In a cigarette machine for forming freely falling showered tobaccointo a continuous rod, the combination with a travelling web having atleast a portion of its carrying surface inclined to the horizontal, of achute acting to guide the tobacco onto said inclined 'arrying surface,mechanism for forwarding the tobacco stream formed on the Web to the rodforming means, a belt compressor for compressing the tobacco stream,said belt compressor having a hor zontal run compressing the stream oftobacco.

19. In a cigarette machine for forming free- 1y falling showered tobaccointo a continuous rod, the combination with a conveyor ar ranged tocarry tobacco resting thereon by gravity said conveyor comprising atravelling web having at least a portion of its carrying surfaceinclined to the horizontal, of a chute having a capacity suliicient topermit a free falling of the showered tobacco and acting to guide thetobacco onto said inclined carrying surface, mechanism for forwardingthe tobacco stream formed on the web to the rod forming means, and abelt compressor for compressing the tobacco stream, said beltcornpressor cooperating with the inclined portion of the web.

20. in a cigarette machine for forming freeiy failing showered tobaccointo a continuous rod, the combination with a conveyor comprising atravelling web having at least a portion of its carrying surfaceinclined to the horizontal, of a. chute acting to guide the tobacco ontosaid inclined carrying surface, mechanism for forwarding the tobaccostream formed on the web to the rod forming means, and a belt compressorfor compressing the tobacco stream, said chute comprising spaced platesoverlying and extending along the web with their lower edges inengagement with the upper marginal portions of theweb.

:21. In a cigarette machine for forming freely falling shows. l tobaccointo a continuous rod, the combiinition with a rod former tongue, of atram-hing web having its end a. substantial distance back of the tongue,a chute acting to guide the tobacco onto said web, mechanism forforwarding the tobacco stream formed on the web to the rod formingmeans, and a belt compressor for compressing the tobacco stream, saidtobacco compressing belt having an operating run extending from aposition in close proximity to the end of the inclined portion of saidweb to a position in close proximity to said tongue.

22. In a cigarette machine for forming freely falling showered tobaccointo a continuous rod, the combination with rod forming means,

of a travelling web, a chute acting to guide the S5 tobacco onto saidweb, mechanism for forwarding the tobacco stream formed on the web tothe rod forming means, and a belt compressor for compressing the tobaccostream, said rod forming means including a tongue so having a portionclose to the web acting as scraper on the compressor belt.

23. In a cigarette machine for forming freely falling showered tobaccointo a continuous rod, the combination with a travel- 05 ling web havingat least a portion of its car rying surface inclined to the horizontal,of a chute acting to guide the tobacco onto said inclined carryingsurface, mechanism for forwarding the tobacco stream formed on the webto the rod forming means, and a belt compressor for compressing thetobacco stream, said compressor belt coacting on the lower portion onlyof said web to compress tobacco thereon without preventing freefallingof tobacco on the upper portion of said web.

24. In a cigarette machine for forming freely falling showered tobaccointo a continuous rod, the combination with a conveyor 11o arranged tocarry tobacco resting thereon by gravity, said conveyor comprising atraveling web having at least a portion of its carrying surface inclinedwith respect to the horizontal, of a chute having a capacity sutficientto permit free falling of the showered tobacco and acting to guide thetobacco onto said inclined carrying surface, and means for guiding saidweb in transversely flat condition.

25. In a cigarette machine for forming freely falling showered tobaccointo a cent? uous rod, the combination with a conveyor arranged tocarrytobacco resting thereon by gravity, said conveyor comprising atravelling web having at least a portion of its carrying surfaceinclined with respect to the herizontal, of a chute having a on acitysntiicient to permit free falling of the s covered tobacco and acting toguide the tobacco onto said inclined carrying surface, means for guidingsaid web in transversely fiat condition and mechanism coacting with themarginal portions of said web to retain all the tobacco received therebyon said web.

26. In a ci arette machine for forming freely falling s owered tobaccointo a continuous rod, the combination with a conveyor arranged to carrytobacco resting thereon by 10 ravity, said conveyor comprising atraveling web having at least a portion of its carrying surface inclinedwith respect to the horizontal, of a chute having a capacity suflicientto permit free falling of the showered 1 tobacco and acting to guide thetobacco onto said inclined carrying surface, and means for guiding saidweb in transversely flat condi tion, said chute having lower edgeportions in engagement with the marginal portion of the web. I

27. In a cigarette machine, the combination with chute means for guidingshowered to bacco, said chute means having opposed substantiallyparallel wall portions or forming the showered tobacco into a sheethaving substantially parallel sides, an inclined convey- V or extendingalong the lower side of said sheet to form said tobacco into a narrowstream, and a belt compressor for compressing said stream.

28. In a cigarette machine, the combination with a travelling web, ofmeans for guiding showered tobacco onto said web, a travellin weboverlying the first mentioned weban coacting tierewith to compress thetobacco resting thereon, and means entering between the edge of saidwebs and cooperat ing with the marginal portions thereof to retam thetobacco on the mid-portion of the web.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this s ecification.

ELBE ON DOUGLAS SMITH.

